Convertible Cap and Mask

ABSTRACT

The convertible mask and cap relates generally to a head cover device for teams, groups, squads, players, companies, troops, sporting events, and more particularly to a unique type of cap that has the option of converting to a face mask when pulled forward from the head to the face.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The terms team or group will be used in the specification to represent any team, group, squad, player, company, troop, or sport group and is not limited to only those described here. The term event will be used in the specification to represent any sports, company, troop, political and or educational gathering and the like. The term emblem will be used in the specification to represent any emblem, product, player, logo, and mascot or team or group representation.

The present invention relates generally to a head cover device for teams, groups, squads, players, companies, troops, sporting events, and more particularly to a unique type of cap that has the option of converting to a face mask when pulled forward from the head to the face. Team or group camaraderie and support are typical at events supporting the function of the team or group (including but not limited to the above referenced list). Visual devices such as flags, banners, pennants, towels and the like which, when used in unison by event participants inspire and motivate the team or groups. These visual devices will continue to be utilized; however in addition, individuals supporting or participating in team or group events inspire a need to take home a commemorative keepsake from the event. There is a need to offer a hands free device that provides the dual purpose of a head cover when placed on the head in the cap position and is a team or group support design as well as an optional mask when pulled down over the face. The product displays the design prominently for a startling visual effect supporting the team or group the user is supporting or participating in. In addition, the device can be provided in a form that all participants can purchase economically.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention specifically promotes team or group spirit and involvement during events where users participate or observe. The present invention uses a unique type of head gear that can optionally be used as either a cap or mask during the event. As further demonstrated below, the device easily converts from one head position or location to the face position or location.

In addition, the present invention includes a decoration representing the team or group emblem, logo, and mascot or team or group representation, inspiring team support from the user. For purposes of this application, the terminology “event” should be construed very broadly to include any type of individual or team event or motivational event that involve some degree of participant support or cheering or motivation by those attending the event. (e.g., sports, company, troop, political and or educational gathering and the like).

The outside surface of the cap becomes the outside surface of the mask. Only the placement on the head alters the use. The convertible cap to mask of the present invention is preferably fabricated from a rigid or semi-rigid polymer material. However, the use of other rigid, semi-rigid or flexible materials (e.g., rubber, thickened paper, etc.) is specifically contemplated herein. The cap may be sized and configured in differing styles to extend over the entirety or portions of the user's head or face. The cap may include a pair of eye holes and a nose-receiving region which can all selectively vary in size and shape depending upon the desired aesthetic and features of the team or group's emblem for use as a mask.

The outer surface of the invention is visually apparent to observers when it is worn either in the cap position on the top of the user head or in the mask position on the user's face. Although such outer surface may be left undecorated, it is highly desirable that the outer surface include painting, shading, surface orientation, and/or some kind of printed indicia thereon. More specifically, the outer surface of the convertible cap to mask preferably displays a design which can be viewed by others. Such design may be chosen from a wide range of selections such as, for example, designs of a favorite sports team and or team or group's logo or emblem. One optimal design creation well suited for the outer surface is a sports team and/or college logo. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable elongated stretchable fastener strap is provided with the convertible cap to mask. Although any number of fastener straps may be provided, the use of one adjustable or, optionally, two elongated fastener straps is adequate for holding and positioning the cap and mask over the user's head or face. In particular, the fastener strap is attached to the body of the convertible cap to mask. The elongated fastener strap may be attached to the convertible cap to mask body in any manner or fashion such as through the use of mechanical fasteners or adhesives.

As briefly described above, when in the cap position the decoration can be seen and provides a team or group camaraderie and support by the user for the event or team or group. In addition, in the mask position the body is disposed over the user's face with the design of its outer surface being visually apparent providing a new and more prominent visual for team or group support and cheer. For example, the user may reposition the convertible cap to mask from the cap position to the mask position during a football team touchdown or in response to a cheer. When viewed from a distance, the decorative body of the present invention provides the users the ability to reposition their cap to a mask in unison. The effect is one of team spirit and powerful visual support for the team or group. After the touchdown or cheer the mask returns to the cap position allowing the user full use of the mouth for cheering. Both positions allow the design such as the team logo or colors to be visually displayed. By doing so, the user can demonstrate his or her support for the team or group and motivate its participants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

These, as well as other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in the mask position of a decorative convertible cap to mask constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrating its outer surface which may display differing indicia thereon;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view in the cap position of a decorative convertible cap to mask constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrating its outer surface which may display differing indicia thereon;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view in the cap position of a decorative convertible cap to mask constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrating its outer surface which includes a sample emblem or mascot design thereon;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view in the mask position of a decorative convertible cap to mask constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrating its outer surface which includes a sample emblem or mascot design thereon;

FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 are examples of possible emblem or mascot designs illustrating its outer surface which includes a sample emblem or mascot design with differing views of the design as it relates to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates the decorative mask position of the present invention. As indicated above, the present invention facilitates the user to easily and quickly convert FIG. 2 to FIG. 1 thereby showing the full emblem or logo or mascot design to help motivate a team or group during certain times of the event. It is recognized herein that the convertible cap to mask may be alternatively utilized without the need to engage as a mask FIG. 2, the details of which will be explained below.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the convertible cap to mask includes a body 3 preferably constructed from a generally rigid and or semi-rigid plastic material. However, other types of materials such as paper, metal or wood, may be used in lieu of plastic. Moreover, it should be further realized that the use of semi-rigid or flexible materials such as rubber or card stock may be utilized.

The mask body 3 may be sized and configured in differing styles to extend over the entirety or portions of the user's face. However, it is preferably sized in a manner as to expose its user's eyes 2 through the mask body 3. This aspect of the invention will be discussed shortly below. Of course, a nose-receiving region or raised section 5 is provided via the body design with sufficient circulation (small air holes) 5 to allow comfortable wearing of the convertible cap to mask when in the mask position FIG. 1. The convertible cap to mask body 3 defines an outer surface 4. This outer surface 4 is intended to be visually apparent to observers when the mask body 3 is accommodated over the user's face. It is noted herein that such outer surface 4 may be left undecorated. However, it is highly desirable that the outer surface 4 include painting, shading, surface orientation and/or some kind of printed indicia thereon. More specifically, the outer surface 4 of the mask body 3 preferably displays an example design demonstrated by FIG. 4 which can be viewed by others. Such design FIG. 4 may be chosen from a wide range of selections such as, for example, designs of a favorite sports team mascot, and/or team slogans and or terminology. One optimal design creation that would be well suited for the outer cover 4 is a sports team or college mascot.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1-4, the convertible cap to mask body 3 comprises an elongated fastener strap 1. Although any number of fastener straps 1 may be provided, the use of one elongated fastener strap 1 is sufficient for disposing the convertible cap to mask body 3 over the user's face FIG. 1 or head as in FIG. 2. In particular, the fastener strap 1 is attached to the mask body 3 and preferably is of an elastic material sufficient to allow it to easily fit any head size comfortably. The elongated fastener strap 1 may become attached to the mask body 3 in any manner or fashion such as through the use of mechanical fasteners or adhesives. FIG. 1-4 illustrates one specific manner of attaching the fastener strap 1 to the side portion of the convertible cap to mask body 3.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the application of the decorative convertible cap to mask FIG. 1 is optimally achieved through the cooperative use of a single head gear designed to be used in two positions. The convertible cap to mask FIG. 3 is first positioned adjacent the top portion of the head. Preferably, such positioning defines an arrangement which disposes a frontal view of the convertible cap to mask outer surface demonstrating the powerful use of the emblem or logo or mascot 4 when using the convertible cap to mask in the cap position. Then the convertible cap to mask FIG. 4 is positioned adjacent to the face by lowering the convertible cap to mask from the top of the head to the front of the face keeping the strap 1 across the back of the head securing the convertible cap to mask in the mask position. As briefly described above, this positioning defines an arrangement which disposes the entire view of the convertible cap to mask outer surface demonstrating the powerful use of the emblem or logo or mascot 4 when using the convertible cap to mask in the mask position, thereby creating additional team or group spirit during a score or cheer during the event.

As briefly described above FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are examples of possible emblem or mascot designs illustrating its outer surface which includes a sample emblem or mascot design. These views demonstrate the powerful use of the emblem or logo or mascot when using the convertible cap to mask in the cap or mask position for creating event enthusiasm and support.

Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the particular combination of parts described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A single piece head gear that can be worn as a decorative cap and as a decorative face mask for the head and face of a wearer, the wearer having head gear with a cap position and optional mask position, the device comprising: a headgear wearable upon the head of the wearer and having an optional placement on the face of the wearer; a convertible cap to mask body; a convertible cap to mask body of a formable material comprised for example of thermoformable plastic; a transparent or cut-out region in said convertible cap to mask body, the location of said region corresponding to the location of said user's eyes when said convertible cap to mask is in said substantially vertical position over said user's face; an elastic fastener strap elongated from the convertible cap to mask body and secured to each side of convertible cap to mask body; allowing the convertible cap to mask to be positioned easily from the cap position to the mask position without removing the convertible cap to mask from the head of the wearer; a second optional fastener strap elongated from the convertible cap to mask body and secured to each side of convertible cap to mask body; allowing the convertible cap to mask to be held in place in either position; an optional adjustable strap assembly utilizing a Velcro or similar type section fastener attached to the primary elastic strap fastener as an adjustment means is provided which can be used to provide some measure of adjustment to accommodate different users or different device positioning. The adjustable strap assembly includes two elastic elongated strap sections having a section at the joining ends with a Velcro or similar fastening means. The securing strap members are attached to each other providing a releasable adjustable fastening means.
 2. The convertible cap to mask of claim 1 wherein the convertible cap to mask body defines a top of the head position when in the cap position and a front of the face position when in the mask position.
 3. The convertible cap to mask of claim 1 wherein the convertible cap to mask body defines an outer surface displaying a selected design thereon.
 4. The convertible cap to mask of claim 1 wherein the convertible cap to mask body defines a raised section on the front (bill) portion of the convertible cap to mask body that is utilized to provide definition to the surface design thereon.
 5. The convertible cap to mask of claim 1 wherein the convertible cap to mask body defines a nose-receiving region or raised section on the front (bill) portion of the convertible cap to mask wherein a small number of pin holes are spaced to provide ventilation for the wearer when said convertible cap to mask is in the vertical mask position.
 6. The convertible cap to mask of claim 1 wherein the selected design is a team or group (as described above) emblem or mascot or logo (as described above).
 7. A method of supporting a team or group by a wearer, the method comprising the steps of: a) watching or participating in an event; b) obtaining a head and face gear having an outer surface and an elongated fastener strap c) engaging the convertible cap to mask to differing positions by moving the convertible cap to mask from the cap position on the top of the head to the mask position on the front of the face d) wearing the head gear upon the head of the wearer in a manner as to dispose the rear-crown portion about the rear head portion; e) displaying a design of the team or group located on the outer surface of the convertible cap to mask; and f) motivating the team or group during the event.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the design of the team or group in step f) is a team or group's emblem or mascot or logo (as described above). 